San Diego FC loses two-goal lead, draws 2-2 to LAFC
Credit: SDFC
San Diego FC hosted LAFC for a game in the 2026 MLS regular season this Saturday, May 2, at Snapdragon Stadium. SDFC was heading into this game on a five-game losing streak and desperately needed a positive result from this match.
LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos had already confirmed prior to this match that he would be using an alternate squad for this match. LAFC has an important semifinal game in the CONCACAF Champions League coming up and the starting players need that extra rest.
the XI is set 😤 pic.twitter.com/YiideHdp4n
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) May 3, 2026
Only two players (Hugo Lloris, Nkosi Tafari) that started the previous Champions Cup game against Toluca featured in the starting 11 at Snapdragon Stadium.
Key players like Heung-min Son did not get the full day off as the Korean superstar was on the bench. Denis Bouanga also featured in the starting 11 after missing the previous game against Toluca.
San Diego was unfortunatley not at full strength with team captain Jeppe Tverskov missing this game due to an injury. David Vazquez replaced Tverskov in a role that is very distinct from what the captain provides.
Luca Bombino and Amahl Pellegrino came back into the starting 11 while the big surprise was seeing goalkeeper CJ dos Santos in net. Mikey Varas had put a lot of trust into young goalkeeper Duran Ferree who had been inconsistent as of late.
Dream start in San Diego! ☀️
Anders Dreyer connects with Marcus Ingvartsen from the corner for the opener.
📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/xr310tKv39 pic.twitter.com/PLawpad1bD
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026
SDFC scored right out of the gate in a goal that was needed to set the tone. Marcus Ingvartsen scored off a header directly from a corner kick by Anders Dreyer. That Danish connection linked up again in the second half of this game for San Diego FC’s second goal.
The Azul and Chrome side controlled possession and looked like the better team on the pitch in the opening 45 minutes. This has been the case in other games in this losing streak as first half performances have not always dictated the final result.
Marc Dos Santos immediately realized San Diego’s dominance and made some changes at halftime. Mark Delgado and David Martinez Morales came on for Jude Terry and Nathan Ordaz.
Then in the 60th minute, Heung-min Son replaced Ryan Raposo which really made an impact in this match.
Ingvartsen scored his second goal of this game in the 71st minute. Dryer curled into the right flank of the penalty box and crossed the ball to Ingvartsen in the middle of the box.
Dreyer and Ingvartsen do it again for San Diego! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/xxno3CB2Nx
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026
The Danish striker struck the ball with precision to give SDFC this massive 2-0 lead. Last season, this lead at this stage of the game was usually enough to virtually guarantee the three points for San Diego.
This year, things have been very different and the visitors were able to stage a comeback in the final moments of this match.
Denis Bouanga cut the deficit in the 82nd minute with a shot from the left flank of the penalty box. Heung-min Son assisted this goal as the Korean star really pressured this shaky SDFC backline.
Son ➡️ Bouanga
LAFC make it a one-goal game. pic.twitter.com/PuEv0FsjmV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026
There were nine minutes of added time and the pressure was immediately felt around the Mission Valley Fortress. SDFC was hanging on to the small lead, but Son and company continued to apply tremendous pressure.
To make matters worse, CJ dos Santos picked up an injury in the last minute of the aggregate. Duran Ferree was forced to take over in net as bad luck followed dos Santos after getting his first start of the season.
More minutes were added due to this injury and San Diego was unable to handle Los Angeles’ pressure. Ryan Hollingshead scored off a corner kick in a bizarre play that included a possible handball prior to his goal.
Ryan Hollingshead levels it for LAFC in stoppage time! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZeftWanI4I
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026
VAR reviewed the play and confirmed the goal, but the replay left plenty of doubts. Regardless of opinion, the goal stood and SDFC was unable to win for a ninth consecutive game in all competitions.
San Diego’s last win was on March 11 as it has been a very rough slump for Varas’ team. Fans have been applying immense pressure to Varas in recent weeks, espeically regarding the “Chucky” Lozano dilemma.
✈️ La campaña #FreeChucky llegó hasta los cielos de San Diego. pic.twitter.com/W99EDQeVRp
— Alejandro Guzmán Mejía (@aguzmanmejia) May 3, 2026
In this match a plane with a sign that read “#freechucky” soared through the skies of Mission Valley. It is clear that the fan base is very upset with the current run of form as also demonstrated by recent attendance numbers.
SDFC will now head to the road to try and start turning things around, visiting Seattle on May 9. SDFC will then have consecutive home games against Austin and Cincinnati on May 13 and May 16.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.